Here is a ton of information!

Ok, Since we have received numerous questions about the adoption process such as why the wait, why does it take the government so long, etc. I decided to list the steps we will be going through as well as try to explain them the best I can. We are still learning this process as well but hopefully this will help.

1.We are currently waiting for our INS-171H form from the Immigration office. This form basically tells us that the US Government approves us to adopt a child from another country and is required before we can go any further in the process.

2. Once we receive the INS form (letter) we will immediately scan it into our computer and email it to our adoption agency so that they can immediately send it to the attorney in Guatemala. We will put the original form in a safe place because we will have to take it with us when we go to bring Madison home.

3. Our attorney will request DNA testing to be done (which is required by the US Embassy for all adoptions). We will pay for the DNA testing to be done on both the birthmother and Madison as a precaution that she indeed has the right to put Madison up for adoption. Once the testing is completed the results will be sent to the US Embassy as well as to us.

4. Our attorney will submit our case to the Family Court. This can be done at the same time as the DNA test and we are hoping that is the case in our process. (It could only make it a little bit faster) Once our case is in family court the court will assign a Social worker to review our case. The social worker will read over all of our paperwork (that has already been translated), meet with the birthmother, and visit Madison. It is my understanding that the meeting with the birthmother is required under Guatemalan law and it is during this process that the birthmother signs off on the adoption for the final time. (Yes I know it sounds crazy that we can get so far into the process and still have to have the birthmother sign off but that is what the government requires so that is what we have to do.)
Once all of this is completed the social worker will then write a report recommending that the adoption proceed.

5. At this point our case will leave family court and enter PGN (Procuraduria General De La Nacion). This is where a PGN reviewer will go over everything that has been submitted in regards to the adoption - our paperwork, the DNA test, US Embassy pre-approval, social workers recommendation, etc. They will review everything to make sure all requirements under Guatemalan law are met. Once everything is reviewed they will sign off on the adoption and forward it on for final approval. Once the final approval is received our case will leave PGN.
When our case leaves PGN we will officially be Madison's parents.

6. At this time the attorney will apply for Madison's new birth certificate. The new birth certificate will contain Madison's first and middle names (as given at birth) and our last name. We cannot change her name as part of the Guatemalan adoption process. We will have to wait until we are back in the United States to change her name to Madison. Once the new birth certificate is received the attorney will apply for Madison's Guatemalan passport. (which she has to have to leave the country as well as enter the US)

7. The attorney will then submit everything to the US Embassy for our "pink slip" which is our invitation for us to go to the US Embassy for a final review (this is when we will finally get to go to Guatemala). Once the "pink slip" is issued Madison will be taken to an Embassy approved physician for one final examination. It is during this process that her visa will be issued and we will then be legally able to bring her home forever.

It is our understanding that this process,from the time we receive our INS-171H letter to us traveling, could be anywhere from 4 - 6 months. We have already been very blessed to be this far in the process after only 2 1/2 months. We have now entered the part that is the hardest -The WAITING period! Please keep us and the process in your prayers. We trust that God is in control and his timing is everything so we just have to trust in him.


One last note, we have postponed our yard sale to sometime in August.